Author Archive

Brendan Sasso

Brendan Sasso
Brendan Sasso is a technology correspondent for National Journal. He previously covered technology policy issues for The Hill and was a researcher and contributing writer for the 2012 edition of the Almanac of American Politics. He grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and graduated from Claremont McKenna College.
Science & Tech

The Obama Administration’s Encryption Views Are All Over the Map

Some government officials are focused on catching criminals, while others worry about empowering hackers.

  • Brendan Sasso, National Journal
Threats

NSA Spying Violates Privacy Rights, EU Court Rules

The decision likely won’t curb the surveillance, but could mean headaches for thou­sands of com­pan­ies.

  • Brendan Sasso, National Journal
Policy

Can the U.S. Trust China to Stop Stealing Business Secrets?

Obama threatened sanctions, but proving responsibility for a cyberattack will be difficult.

  • Brendan Sasso, National Journal
Policy

NSA Spying Heads to Critical Senate Showdown

After the House voted to end bulk collection of phone data, Sen. Mitch McConnell promised to force a vote next week to reauthorize it.

  • Kaveh Waddell and Brendan Sasso, National Journal
Policy

Last-Minute Pitches for NSA Reform Fail To Gain Consensus

After a recent Senate defeat, the tech industry, privacy groups and reform-minded lawmakers are clamoring to salvage portions of the USA Patriot Act. By Brendan Sasso and Dustin Volz

  • Brendan Sasso and Dustin Volz, National Journal
Policy

Democrat to NSA: Forget Congress, Stop Mass Spying Now

Senate Republicans blocked a bill to restrict domestic surveillance. But Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff says the administration should act anyway. By Brendan Sasso

  • Brendan Sasso, National Journal
Science & Tech

Could Selfies Replace Passwords?

Obama's cyber chief wants to strengthen log-in credentials, and that may mean ditching the password as we know it. By Brendan Sasso

  • Brendan Sasso, National Journal
Science & Tech

What to Expect in This Government Report on Government Spying

Here are the questions critics hope Obama's privacy watchdogs will answer in this week's long-awaited report on Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. By Brendan Sasso

  • Brendan Sasso, National Journal
Science & Tech

There’s No Such Thing as ‘NSA-Proof’ Encryption

‘If they want it, they can get it,’ one expert says of the National Security Agency's expert spies. By Brandon Sasso

  • Brendan Sasso, National Journal
Threats

China Hits Back Over Hacking Charges

A spokesman for the Chinese government says China will announce more retaliations 'as the situation evolves.' By Brendan Sasso

  • Brendan Sasso, National Journal
Policy

Google to Obama: Leave Us Out of Your Spying Fight

Private companies say their data-mining is not the same as espionage. By Brendan Sasso

  • Brendan Sasso
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Science & Tech

Lawmakers, Obama Want to End NSA’s Bulk Data Collection

Some of the fiercest defenders of the NSA now want to end the agency's controversial practice of collecting records on millions of phone calls. By Brendan Sasso

  • Brendan Sasso, National Journal
Business

CIA Accused of Spying on Senate Intelligence Committee

The CIA's inspector general, is reviewing whether CIA agents hacked into the computers of Senate staffers. By Brendan Sasso

  • Brendan Sasso, National Journal
Business

Obama Administration Wants Industry Input on Spying Reform

The Obama administration wants to know if 'existing commercially available capabilities' can lead to spying reforms. By Brendan Sasso

  • Brendan Sasso, National Journal
Business

Obama's Plan to Rein In NSA Phone Sweeps

The president plans to limit the NSA's most controversial program. Will it be enough to calm privacy fears? By Brendan Sasso

  • Brendan Sasso, National Journal